Guest Blog post by Amanda Hilliard, FirstNet Director of Outreach
Since the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) was established, we have been working to foster a continuous, two-way exchange of information between FirstNet and the Committee. Today’s third meeting of the PSAC in Westminster, Colo., showed how far we have come over the past several months: FirstNet Board members and senior leadership provided comprehensive overviews of their priorities and programs to the PSAC. In turn, members of the PSAC offered constructive feedback to FirstNet and reviewed the status of their activities. Together, we moved to identify key issues and topics for the PSAC to provide expert input to FirstNet.
FirstNet Chairwoman Sue Swenson opened today’s meeting by telling PSAC members that FirstNet had entered into a new phase. “We have a lot to share with you and look forward to continuing to engage with you on important work going forward,” she said. Board member Jeff Johnson told the PSAC that FirstNet would be ramping up its future “assignments” for them. “You’re going to move from waiting for your next assignment to asking yourself – ‘How do they expect us to get all this done?’”
FirstNet Deputy General Manager TJ Kennedy reviewed a number of engagement activities that have enhanced collaboration between FirstNet and the PSAC – including weekly calls with PSAC leadership, sharing of feedback from the field, coordination on public safety outreach materials, and participation in workshops and conferences.
TJ also gave a comprehensive update on FirstNet’s implementation of the strategic program roadmap and other organizational developments, such as staffing and facilities. He talked about how FirstNet was working to complete an open, transparent, and competitive RFP processes for comprehensive network proposals and for network equipment and services. TJ also led an open discussion with members about the public notice and comment processes that FirstNet is working on. Both FirstNet and PSAC members agreed that the public notice and comment process will provide an opportunity for PSAC members to weigh in on key foundational issues related to the planning and deployment of a nationwide public safety broadband network.
TJ was followed by a series of updates from the FirstNet management team. Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Ali Afrashteh and Deputy CTO Jeff Bratcher talked about the vision for building up the FirstNet technical organization and capabilities, including coordination with the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program on standards issues, testing and evaluation, and modeling and simulation. Later, I provided an update on a number of outreach projects, including a digital “toolkit” we are preparing to support stakeholder education and outreach and discussed FirstNet’s outreach goals for the remainder of 2014. The PSAC also got an update on the state consultation process from David Buchanan, Director of State Consultation, and Rich Reed, Director of State Plans.
PSAC Chairman Harlin McEwen provided an update on current and planned PSAC projects, such as use cases for the interfaces, applications, and capabilities for the network and an analysis of potential eligible users of the network. He also provided status reports on the establishment of a PSAC Tribal Working Group and an Early Builder Working Group. Overall, Harlin said he was pleased with the progress that FirstNet and the PSAC have made in recent months. “FirstNet is getting staffed up to the point where we are able to have really good interactions with both the staff and the Board,” he said.
Former FirstNet Chair Sam Ginn thanked the PSAC for its support and advice. “Public safety is going to see its industry transform in ways you can’t imagine,” he said. “We are in a good place and making lots of progress.”
Today’s PSAC meeting was a great way to kick off what should be a busy and productive week here in Westminster. I look forward to tomorrow’s Board meeting, the Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Conference, and more.
-Amanda
